Talking Book

This is #day797 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... here's to my fourth and final Stevie Wonder record on the list. Now, this isn't exactly the kind of music I'd choose for an October soundtrack, even though the album was ironically released in October. The instrumentation has a very early '70s sound that comes through nicely on vintage gear from the time, like my Technics SU-7300. That said, I guess I prefer his other records on the list, as this album is a bit hit or miss. This is a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day798.

For me, even the best Stevie Wonder things are only good. It's more of a taste thing I reckon. An enjoyable album with 2 standout tracks - Superstition and I believe

A nice funky album. Two big tubes and the other songs are also quite OK. A 3.5 rounding because why not? Favorite Songs: You Are the Sunshine of My Life ; Superstition

★★★☆☆ This is my third Stevie Wonder album from the 1001 Albums challenge, and while there's some fantastic music here, I found *Talking Book* to be a little inconsistent. The album starts with “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” which is a good song, but it feels like a strange choice for an opener. The second track, “Maybe Your Baby,” would've been a much better way to kick things off. That song is fantastic, with a nasty funk groove and some great guitar work. It goes on a little longer than necessary, but it was still an easy 8.5/10 for me. And then there's “Superstition.” What else can you say? One of the greatest funk songs ever recorded. That riff, the horns, the rhythm, Stevie's vocals—everything works. An easy 10/10 and the highlight of the album. Unfortunately, the rest of the record never quite reaches those heights. I enjoy Stevie's ballads, but “You and I” was pretty boring, and several other tracks were pleasant without being particularly memorable. “Tuesday Heartbreak” had a nice groove, “Blame It on the Sun” was a good ballad, and I appreciated the funky ending of “I Believe,” which at least felt like a proper album closer. The sequencing was probably my biggest complaint beyond the inconsistent songwriting. There are some awkward transitions between the funky material and the slower ballads that hurt the overall flow. My individual track ratings averaged 6.6, and I think **6.5/10** is exactly where this belongs. Two outstanding songs, several good ones, and a handful that didn't leave much of an impression. I'm glad I heard it, and there are definitely tracks I'll revisit, but as a complete album it falls a little short of greatness for me.

the most bizarre bit about this is album is that dude plays almost all of the instruments on this album except for the lead guitar stuff, horns, and... the congas?! guy can play the drums but calls in a session conga player?! i truly believe he could have handled the congas on "you are the sunshine of my life". incredible stuff. and the start of an incredible run of albums and singles: talking book, innervisions, fullfillingness' first finale (what a mouth full), songs in the key of life, hotter than july. got damn! if you don't like "superstition" you don't like good stuff.

Not bad, quite funky. 6/10

There’s no doubting Stevie Wonder’s exceptional talent, but his music has never really clicked for me. I think it’s something about the genre that doesn’t interest me. This album was very well produced and it feels like one I could listen to over and over again. Probably deserving of a 5, but I’m on the fence.

Holy wowwww

Who you gonna call if you need a good guitar solo? Ray Parker Jr.? Who knew? I found this to be a very consistent album with lots of interesting songs, some romantic, but not cheesy romantic. There are lots of great guest appearances here including Jeff Beck ("Do It Jeff!") and David Sanborn too. Liked Songs Added: You Are The Sunshine Of My Life Superstition I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)

smooooooooooooooooooooth

Sir Duke Stevie is great. I just called to say I love you Stevie is awful. This is more of the latter type of music.

70s Stevie Wonder is obviously a banger.

Again—I liked it but it’s a struggle to connect. I never realized “I believe when I fall in love with you it'll be forever” was Stevie Wonder 😔😔

Great vibe for the day.

Блин, с точки зрения музыкальной археологии это оч интересно слушать. Отчётливо слышно кто оказывал на Tyler the creator своё влияние. Послушайте Fucking young / perfect да или в целом Flowerboy и Igor, прям слышится этот подход, бэки, эти гармонии и комплексное, насыщенное звучание. Да даже бог с ним с влиянием, альбом в целом звучит клёво, обгоняя своё время, на мой взгляд. И звучит свежо и сейчас. Этот грув, этот шикарный ритм и гитара на Maybe Your Baby, замечательная лиричная You And I, также запомнились You've Got It Bad Girl и Superstition В общем, альбом уматный. С удовольствием послушал.

Solid album; 7.5/10; would sound better on vinyl

Superstition heavily carries this album. I came into this one thinking I was a Stevie Wonder fan, and this album kind of shock that idea. I feel like I should have liked this album more, but I can’t bring myself to give it more than a 3/5

I’ve had this album quite a while, mainly for “Superstition “ which is my favourite SW song, makes you want to dance about, Stevie vocals are insane particularly in the 1970s when he produced his best stuff, IMO.

nice vibe, a little boring in parts but a nice easy listen 3.5

Bangers,

Good album. Not Bad. Not fantastic. Just a good album. I just don't like the softer tracks on this album. So I don't gonna give a 4 of 5. So: 3/5

Wish he could see these stars

Great songs

My only note would be that Superstition doesn't last for 25 minutes.

Strong

Mitähän tähän nyt sanois. Hyvin svengaa mut semi tylsä.

It’s Stevie Wonder 100/100

stevie wonder is, by a wide margin, my favorite artist of all time. this specific record has actually been rather neglected by me, but it is still an absolute masterpiece with near-zero flaws, despite not being one of my absolute favorites from stevie.

I got Innervisions earlier in the project and was pretty critical of it. I'm not a Stevie Wonder fan, and I accept a part of that is some baggage (which I outlined in that review) but there is more to it also - I'm not a hater, I just don't "get" it. This was slightly better. Innervisions was guilty of bloat - for example, a great song in Living In The City dragged down by wanting to be more. This doesn't have the same issues. Most of it is pretty tight and restrained, and it's much better for it. But... Wow, You've Got It Bad Girl has absolutely no redeeming qualities. What an absolute stinker. Did he do that so we'd all recognise how much better Superstition was? Superstition has an all-time riff, it doesn't need such a bad song before it to stand out. I almost dropped a star for that one song (I really do think it was genuinely bad), but I didn't. I still don't "get" Stevie Wonder, but at least I wasn't frustrated by this. With that one exception, of course.

Previously known. Just a great listen.

Man... I almost hate to type this. How did "Superstition" end up in the middle of this maudlin' album? It starts out with "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" which is one of my least favorite songs ever. When "Maybe Your Baby" started, it laid the funk on hard, and I thought "Oh yeah, here we go!" and then that song stalls out about halfway through. I'll give a point to "Tuesday Heartbreak", but for the most part, this just did not hit at all. I think I have to give it a 2, but I know I'm wrong.

Nice album

Incredible album. This is the kind of stuff I came here for. Wow.

Мега вайб, надо послушать внимательнее

Nice blend of funk and more low key tracks. Very warm while avoiding being bland. The first track is by far the weakest, but thankfully it picks up quickly after that.

Overall, I like his music, but in general, this album did not do a lot for me. ★★★

It’s got sunshine of my life and superstition and it’s Stevie wonder, gotta give it to my boy.

5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background

no thanks…

Lekker muziekje, niks mis mee

It's Stevie Wonder. Easy to like

A few really timeless songs, but many that kind of just fade into the background. A nice listen on the way to the airport in the midst of other life stressors. 3/5

Fav: Superstition, Blame It On The Sun L: You've Got It Bad Girl 3 I liked how each song felt unique (which is something a lot of these albums struggle with), however basically every song felt like they stayed too long. They either needed something more to keep them from dragging or just cut to like 2 min 30 seconds songs. Cover: 3.5 Pretty cool, but imo doesn't really fit the music for the most part. Name: 4 Cool name but also not the name I would fit with this music Minecraft Parody: Obsidian (Superstition)

i think if he spent a little more time on fleshing out the songs instead of 10 repeated choruses it would be an easy 5

This is a classic. Great songs and incredible lyrics.

After 2 5 star Stevie Wonder albums, this one seemed to lack the magic that one gets with the others, it's not as magic or heartfelt, and the songs seemed to drag honestly. Superstition is a banger forever and always, but I couldn't tell you much about the rest of the album. Not unenjoyable, the music his voice keep it good.

7.2/10. I thought it was well made, but it was just too slow for what I like. Stevie is a great musician but the emotional side of his works just tends to make them boring, at least to me. His higher tempo stuff on this album was very enjoyable though, and his messaging is clear throughout.

good

Mistakenly hated on tracks 2-5 for sounding like background music in an elevator. Absolute classics in this album and in between the classics the other songs are uplifted by the smile that remains on your face.

um dos melhores álbuns que já ouvi. stevie wonder é foda pa caraaaaaaai mermão. dale.

This was really nice but not his best

Iconic album from one of the great R&B singers.

Relaxed but that hides a great instrumentalist at his creative peak.

Onya Stevie!!

If I heard Maybe your Baby in 1972 I would have transcended. Really good album. Lot of slop. But a couple bops.

All gas no brakes

I liked this a lot! So easy to enjoy

Classic Stevie Wonder with two of his biggest songs, “You Are the Sunshine of my Life” and “Superstition”. I think it’s aged very well and an absolute classic (although at times the synth sound is a bit dated). So soulful, funky and creative!

Calming energy and takes an interesting journey of love and relationships. Nice voice and I think my favourite song out the album was 'l believe (When I fall in love it will be forever)'.

This is the first of what could be considered as Stevie Wonder's holy trinity of albums, where he developed his work with electronic keyboards, blending soul, funk, pop, jazz and all sorts of other genres. The guys a legend, Superstition is one of the best songs ever written and, although Maybe Your Baby is overlong to the point of irritating, that is the only mis-step in my opinion. The complex arrangements of Blame It On The Sun are beautiful, the love songs You and I and I Believe vary from beautifully simple to lighters-in-the-air anthemic, and You Are The Sunshine Of My Life takes me back to when I was 5 or 6 years old and my mum used to sing it to me. Not quite a perfect album, but not far from it, and I haven't given out a maximum score for weeks, so Stevie can have a low 5 stars for this.

Stevie would reach higher highs later, but it's still very decent.

#470 Superstition is a banger but this is another Stevie Wonder which just confirms that I appreciate him and his music more than I actually like it. You should probably listen to this, no doubt influential but I’d only return for Superstition. Heard before? ❌ Would I revisit? ❌ Listen before you die? ✅ Fave track(s): Superstition Rating: 6/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Undoubtedly an insanely talented individual - but sorry Stevie this one wasn’t for me. A fair few skips on this album - songs either going on too long, too love-ballad-y or sounding too similar to other songs on the album. I do not doubt there is probably more Stevie to come on this list (Innervisions, Key of Life) that warrant inclusion more than this one. Even ended up skipping Superstition as I’ve just heard it too many times. 2.5/5 - probably doesn’t need a re-listen.

Positivt overrasket, helt ok å lytte til. Kun 45 min

Enjoyed the funkiness here. Also Superstition is a banger. 4/5

Really compelling, very beautiful lyrics and calming music. All around lovely listen.

⚪️ moderately BANGS but doesn't reach the high highs of "Songs in the Key of Life" or "Innervisions" Fav tracks: I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever), Blame It On the Sun, Superstition

Love. Great singer. I love his voice

The best Stevie Wonder album would be a Greatest Hits album, only one song from Picture Book should be on that album.

Winning Grammys for the two mega hit singles, this album (the second in his classic phase since renegotiating the 'Tamla' contract) was recorded just as he'd supported the Rolling Stones on tour so he was hot at this point. Aside from the aforementioned two huge songs, 'I believe when I fall in love' is a classic, but it in is the lesser known tracks that we hear buried treasure and, aside from maybe your baby being a little long, the use of layered keys/ synths overdubbed on to mostly all Stevie's instruments gives a uniquely influential sound. Helped by A listers like Jeff Beck, Deniece Williams, Ray Parker Jnr and David Sanborn, this is a masterpiece and the best was still yet to come........

Great artist, average album.

Pretty great. I cannot argue with the greatness of this album. I was surprised by how much I liked some of the less well known tracks.

Absolute masterpiece.

Maybe Your Baby = funky as hell Rest also some good funk, sometiles too pop

It's no wonder (no pun intended) that this album earned Stevie his first Grammy. It's a great album and it's hard not to smile listening to "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" or start to dance a little when hearing "Superstition." Loved getting a relisten.

I give too many fives, but this is a delight.

One of the all-time great albums. Stevie hit all the right notes on this one. Plus he didn't put another disc to ruin some of the great vibes here. 5 "like is this perfection" stars.

Yet another monumental record from the great Stevie Wonder. To me, it signifies a great shift in his career, leading to his greatest works in the following years. There is an innate consistency to the record, which is topped off by the anthemic 'Superstition'. 8/10 [KEEP]

it's alright

Superstition is on here which is obviously a 10/10 strong but other than that it doesn’t do it for me. Beautiful craftsmanship with the music and arrangement but no physicality or drive

Stevie do you know you are one of the most influencial and important artists of the 20th century?

Такой душевный альбом, его очень приятно, слушать, на душе становится так легко, но это не такая легкость как на другом альбоме, а с небольшим налётом грусти, очень круто

Я не большой любитель музыки такого жанра, но Стиви Уандер действительно профессионал своего дела, это было приятно слушать. Лучшая песня: You`ve Got It Bad Girl

I was too tired to listen to the whole album properly and fell asleep a couple of times, but the sound of that synth is nasty (in a good way)

The playing, singing, arrangements are all great, but I'd like just a bit more toothy funk like Superstition, and a few less smoooooove ballads.

Killer songs expressing a wide spectrum of emotions.

I was surprised to not know more tracks from this, I felt like it was a little one-note but it was still a vibe Playlist add: "You Are the Sunshine of My Life"

Okej album , jag har bara läst två låtar, eller jag antar att den är bra men rätt så långsamma låtar vilket inte är mina favoriter men det kanske växer på mig. Den låten jag giller bäst än så länge är you and I, det är den låten jag har mest fastnat för. You’ve got it bad girl är också en av mina favoriter men jag föredrar you and I . Jag lyssnade dock inte klart på almbumet, kanske två tre låtar, får väl lyssna på dem nån gång

I really liked the funkier numbers, but the slow jams did nothing for me.

It's smooth, it's funky, a little sexy and just overall really nice. Really enjoyed from start to finish 4*

Enjoyed it! Very nostalgic and heard songs I haven’t heard before

Fun

I was expecting a really boring album that sounded repetitive but nope, this album was really good, the instrumentation is amazing, I love it all, the guitars, the synths, the drums, it all sounds so good and interesting in all the songs, not to mention allot of the songs sound very modern for their time

It's good. Superstition being the obvious highlight. Some ok songs mixed in with 2-3 stronger ones. 3.5/5. Raising to 4.

Tuesday, 29 September, 2026 Amazing record. Stand out, classic Stevie wonder tracks.

What a beautiful energy. Couldn’t help but enjoy. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life Superstition

One or two standout tracks, the rest is a bit drab

3,5 solo por Superstition

should be called Superstition and 9 other songs

Apart from superstition this is actually very boring